Charles "Luckky" Luciano
From LERCARA FRIDDI SICILY
On August 11th 1922 Umberto Valenti was having a plate Chicken Parmigiana. Some time around noon, Valenti and six laughing companions emerged from their lunch at John’s on East 12th Street. Walking eastward when smiles turned into frowns. Suddenly, Valenti spooked and bolted towards Second Avenue as two slick, well-dressed gunmen whipped out revolvers and fired. Gangland legend holds that one of the shooters was none other than Charles “Lucky” Luciano, Masseria’s newest protégé was future Geovese Crime Family Boss Vito Genovese.
The Chain of Evenets Follows :
1.Umberto Valenti emerges from John’s of 12th Street. Lucky Luciano and another assassin open fire.
2. Valenti draws a revolver and is hit in the chest with a bullet. He staggers to a waiting taxicab and dies.
3. The gunmen shoot two innocent bystanders before disappearing into a tenement.
CHICKEN PARM at JOHN'S
RECIPE in SUNDAY SAUCE
John’s Restaurant was a prominent speakeasy of the era, making wine and whiskey in the basement. These illegal beverages were served in espresso cups in case of a raid. Opened in 1908 by John Puciatti, an immigrant from Umbria, this was a red sauce and wine joint that exuded the type of Old World Italian spirit to which mobsters have been known to gravitate.
JOHN'S of E. 12th Street is the restaurant is most associated with gangster culture for the fact that, “Charlie Luciano killed Rocco Umberto Valenti on that corner in August of 1922. Though no one was ever charged, it is pretty well established in gangland history. There are reports of the shooting in NY Times archives.” Umberto was called to John’s for a “peace offering” with fellow mob boss Guissepe Messeria. Upon his arrival, he was chased to the corner and gunned down. Ferrara further notes that Carlo Tresca, historical anarchist and opponent of fascism and the mafia, lived in an apartment atop John’s, was friends with the owners, and ate his last meal at the restaurant before being assassinated by a mafia gunman on 5th Avenue and East 13th Street.
LUCKY LUCIAN'S CHICKEN PARM
Is in SUNDAY SAUCE
by Daniel Bellino "Z"
Who Worked at JOHN'S for 7 Yeaars
In The 1980s
Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke 's Family
comes from LERCARA FRIDDI , SICILY
The Same Town as CHARLES "LUCKY" LUCIANO
and FRANK SINATRA
LISTEN to
"12th STREET RAG"
L. Bowan and Aaron Robinson
RAGTIME PIANO MUSIC
.
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